Since I no longer have time to post photos as I take them, be prepared for photo overload!
In the last month, Mataya has gone from fragile to squishable! I just love, love, love this squishable, smiley, and very content baby!
Mataya was born with VERY plugged tear ducts. Her poor little eyes watered and watered. They were often caked with "goop" almost like when you have pink eye. The corners of her eyes would get raw because the skin was always damp. Krissy had a plugged duct as well, so we have experienced this in the past - but Mataya's eyes were much worse. I was nearly convinced they would not clear up on their own.
Then one morning she woke up with clear eyes! Just like that - both eyes cleared!
So thankful for the Lord's healing!
Since all the big girls prefer mix-matched socks - Miss Mataya dresses the same way.
We call it "baby swag!"
This shirt was a gift from Jamison's girlfriend and her mom.
It makes me smile every time she wears it.
More baby swag!
This month Mataya started to giggle!
Oh, I love, love, love baby giggles!
The most sure-fire way to get her giggling is to kiss all over her right cheek, just like daddy is above.
She also as a very tickley tummy!
She is SUCH a snuggler. We all LOVE it!
Joshua has most certainly NOT tired of her.
Mataya loves to snuggle wrapped in a blanket - but since it has gotten warm out, we try substitute these tiny ones. I've nicknamed them "night-nights." In actuality they are burp cloths that Krissy sewed; however as Mataya never spits up, this purpose is much more appropriate.
I think I mentioned her big brother is smitten?
Joshua is usually the first of the kids to get up in the morning. That is his favorite time to snuggle with Mataya. Many mornings he allows me to snap a picture and send it to Krissy. Since he HATES photos, these are treasures.
Mataya, being very content, is not in a hurry to do anything! Though she has rolled, she does not know how - nor does she really want to learn. Laying flat on her back is OK with her!
She is starting to enjoy sitting upright though. She thinks the Bumbo chair is fun for short periods of time. It is fun to watch her try and use her hands in it. They just do not work quite as well when she is sitting as when she is laying on her back! Her very favorite toy to grab is this little pink teddy. Even with toys, snugly is best!
This is how we buy groceries for our family of 8!
2 carts and 1 stroller get the job done!
Mataya has found her feet. She LOVES to play with them!
One challenge we have with Joshua is that he continues to think he and Brenna are the same age, and thus should have the same privileges. We talk many times every day about different ages having different rules - and he is FINE with that when it comes to everyone BUT Brenna. Sigh. Because of this, we have not allowed Brenna to carry Mataya until this last week. We were concerned that if she were allowed to carry her, Joshua would sneak and do the same. Now that Mataya is able to better support her head we feel like if Joshua sneaks and tries to carry her, there is less of a chance he will hurt her. So after waiting for nearly FOUR months - Brenna can FINALLY carry her baby sister around the house!
She is thrilled!
And for the record, she was so patient waiting. She knows exactly how Joshua thinks. She was willing to sacrifice to protect her baby sister. I am so thankful AND so proud of her!
One day last week Brenna and I were home alone. I was cleaning the house. Actually. . . first I was napping while she cleaned - yep, I am crazy spoiled like that with my Brenna girl. She is my domestic. She likes to cook and clean. She often surprises me by taking care of a cooking or cleaning chore without me even asking. Anyway, once I woke up - I took over the cleaning duties while she played with Mataya. At one point I peaked in on the girls and found the scene above. Brenna was singing to Mataya as she swung. Mataya had her eyes locked on Brenna and was so totally content. Sigh. It was a mommy moment to treasure.
Sierra continues to be the baby whisperer.
She has even taught me a new way that Mataya likes to snuggle!
This sister bond is so very sweet.
It melts my mommy heart.
One morning Joshua insisted I let him rock Mataya to sleep. I was skeptical - but he proved me wrong, he was able to snuggle her to sleep all by himself!
More baby selfies by Joshua Gubs!
I love when I find these on my phone.
This was taken today.
Mataya was watching intently while I put together her new toy.
I can not believe I was the one who bought this contraption!
I think I have gone "grandma" with this one! I have been joking that since Mataya is too little to go on rides at the State Fair we bought her a baby size one for our family room.
I hope she likes it as much as I do!
For now, it is slightly overwhelming! LOL! I did not even consider showing her all the toys behind her!
I might have posted these before, but since they melt my heart, twice is OK!
I am trying to be a good sport about camping this summer. (Last year I had no interest after living in the campers the year before.) I am still not passionate about it - but it is OK. Since Mataya needs to stay out of the sun, I bought her this cute little tent. She loves it!
Where does she sleep in the camper? Why in the closet of course!
Her rock and play fits perfectly in the closet right next to momma's side of the bed.
Generally speaking, I am the family photographer. That means I am rarely in photos. Which is fine. . . except that if you check out our family photo albums I seem non-existent. With this baby, I have worked at being in a few photos!
The ring sling continues to be a favorite! She and I both love it.
Chest to chest, heart to heart is such a beautiful feeling.
Perhaps the best thing about this past month is that Mataya is finally growing appropriately. Until the last month, she felt scrawny and fragile. After a bit over a month on formula, she is squishable. She has rolls on her thighs and a milk gut. I am very thankful. In all honesty, I am still grieving that breastfeeding was not successful with Mataya. If I could be I would be, but since it did not work, I am so very thankful for formula. I think often that if I lived in a Third World country she would continue to be scrawny. It makes my heart hurt.
Before Mataya, the idea on NOT nursing for the first year NEVER occurred to me. Breastfeeding my oldest four was easy. I expected the same with Mataya. Sitting on this side of nursing has made me very aware of the pressure non-nursing mom's feel. I get a pit in my stomach almost every day when I see or read or hear "Breastfeeding is best. . ." I feel almost ashamed shaking up a formula bottle when we are out and about. It has been hard. It is funny how a perspective can change. I want to explain to everyone all the time that my pediatrician TRULY felt that nursing was not the best thing for my baby, when really it is none of anyone's business (plus no one cares outside of me). The up side is that any struggle we go through makes us more compassionate and aware or how others may feel. As my daughters start families (years from now!), I think this experience with Mataya will make me more open minded and careful when I react to all sorts of decisions they make with their babies. (My life even cracks me up! I just had a baby - but I am saving all my baby stuff for our grandkids. And I don't think it will even be totally outdated!)
Even on formula Mataya is tricky to feed. She is just not a hungry baby. As she has become more roly-poly, I am becoming less stressed about her lack of interest in food. She still only has 3 ounces of formula at many feedings - but then there are the times that she insists on 6 ounces. She is unpredictable to say the least! BUT she is growing - thank you Jesus! In the last month she has gone from being in the 2% for weight to the 40%! She weighs 13 pounds 7 ounces as of this week! She is 25.25 inches long - which is 94%. So at long last, she is measuring like a typical Dietrich baby. . . long and lean!
